Associated PressIn this photo taken on Dec. 29, 2009, Cornell head coach Steve Donahue, left, and center Jeff Foote confer during an NCAA college basketball game against La Salle, in Philadelphia. Cornell won 78-75. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
With the Al Skinner Era of Boston College basketball officially over, attention on Chestnut Hill has now officially turned to his replacement.

Reports around the Web have BC athletic director Gene DeFilippo interviewing three possible replacements Wednesday. And while the Eagles certainly aren't the sexiest job in the ACC, the post sure does seem a high-enough profile to command some big names, doesn't it?

APFormer BC coach Al Skinner
Fan enthusiasm has started to swirl around Tennessee’s Bruce Pearl, DeFilippo stated on WEEI in no uncertain terms Wednesday that Pearl is not at candidate at this time.

“We’re going to pay what we have to pay to get the right person. We just really are. This is an important hire for us.” However, DeFelippo said he has had no contact with Pearl and does not consider him a candidate. “At this point, no, he’s not,” DeFilippo said. “That doesn’t mean he couldn’t be at another time.”

There were, reportedly, three interviews conducted Wednesday, with two of the identities confirmed. Those candidates are:

Cornell’s Steve Donahue – On the BCInterruption blog, there’s an interesting post breaking down Donahue’s resume and candidacy. And there’s interesting evidence to support and detract from his potential on The Hill.

On the positive:“Young, energetic coach who turned around the Cornell basketball program, winning three straight Ivy League titles and dismantling Wisconsin to make the program's first ever Sweet 16 appearance”

The negative:“Donahue's family has strong ties to the Philadelphia area and it's no secret that they would like to return to city life. Donahue also turned down overtures from Boston University a few years back, a position that would have tripled his current salary. The BU and BC jobs are clearly in different leagues but I thought that was certainly interesting. “

Fairfield’s Ed Cooley – Not exactly a marquee name, but Cooley has found moderate success in the MAAC, posting a 66-59 record over four seasons. Strangely, the major factor in his candidacy is the fact that Cooley is a disciple of Skinner – the person whose hoop culture they are trying to purge. According to the Greenwich Time:

“Cooley, a Skinner assistant for 10 seasons -- one at Rhode Island and nine at BC -- from 1996-2006, told the Post Tuesday before hearing from BC that he considered the open position as ‘my dream job’ but that he was very happy at Fairfield.”

And while it hasn’t yet been confirmed, the third candidate in today’s round of interviews has been rumored to be Richmond’s Chris Mooney. Making this interview awfully interesting is the fact that The Richmond Times Dispatch reported Wednesday that the coach and his current team have been working on a pay raise and contract extension.

“If BC targeted Mooney, it could offer more money than he makes at UR. Additionally, the Eagles' position presents the opportunity to coach at college basketball's highest level in a region of the country with a huge recruiting pool.”